St. Patrick’s Breastplate

St. Patrick’s day is a good excuse to re-read the wonderful prayer by Patrick from the 5th century AD. If you don’t know Patrick’s inspiring story, allow me to suggest a couple of books that will help you explore it….not only his life but the movement he left behind: The Celtic Way of Evangelism by George Hunter and How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill.

As you read through this prayer, notice the sequence of phrases, the word play, the rich poetry (without rhyme) and consider it as a model for writing similar prayers / reflections of your own. It is such a fine example of faith that is firmly rooted in the day to day, physical world….that’s the legacy of Patrick and Celtic Christianity.

St. Patrick’s Breastplate

I gird myself today with the might of heaven: The rays of the sun, The beams of the moon, The glory of fire, The speed of wind, The depth of sea, The stability of earth, The hardness of rock.

I gird myself today with the power of God: God’s strength to comfort me, God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to lead me, God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me, God’s angels to save me, From the snares of the devil, From the temptation of sin, From all who wish me ill, Both far and near, Alone and with others.

May Christ guard me today From poison and fire, From drowning and wounding, So my mission may bear Fruit in abundance.

Christ behind and before me, Christ beneath and above me, Christ with me and in me, Christ around and about me, Christ on my left and my right, Christ when I rise in the morning, Christ when I lie down at night, Christ in each heart that thinks of me, Christ in each mouth that speaks of me, Christ in each eye that sees me, Christ in each ear that hears me.

I arise today Through the power of the Trinity, Through faith in the threeness, Through trust in the oneness, Of the Maker of earth, And the Maker of heaven.